“For distribution of LPG cylinder and burner to the poor women, both the Centre and the state governments are equally sharing the amount of Rs 1600 each per beneficiary,” said Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

“In Chhattisgarh 25 lakh families will be distributed free LPG connections and gas burners with the joint efforts of the state and the Central governments,” Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said at the function here after jointly launching the scheme. “Because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the petroleum sector has now been opened for the poor,” said Singh adding the state has fixed the target of free distribution of the LPG connections to 25 lakh families in the next two years under the Pradhan Mantra Ujjwala Yojana.

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, addressing the gathering of about 5000 women, said Chhattisgarh is the only state, which has been giving a matching grant for the scheme. One LPG connection is costing Rs 3200 and the state government is providing a double burner gas stove costing Rs 990, and the first refill of the cylinder of Rs 558 totalling Rs 1600 as subsidy. The Centre has been bearing the rest Rs 1600 to provide a cylinder of Rs 1250, Rs 150 worth of a regulator, a gas pipe costing Rs 100, installation charge of Rs 75 and a book worth Rs 25, the officials informed.